A firefighter committed suicide yesterday, days after he took part in rescue missions following the 921 earthquake.
Family members found Huang Tze-jung dead at his home in Pingtung County, television stations said.
His mother and wife both said Huang had behaved oddly since taking part in rescue work in Puli.
"He had repeatedly said something ominous. He said we are in a world of constant change," his mother said.
Chen Yi-yen, a psychiatrist at the Pingtung Christian Hospital, said Huang's trauma might have resulted from the suffering he witnessed.
Psychiatrists say quake victims and their families may need to get professional help.
Fujen Catholic University medical school's deputy director Hsiao Shu-jeu said survivors would replay the earthquake in their minds for weeks afterwards.
"People will find themselves suddenly feeling guilty for living," she said, adding other initial symptoms include shock and panic, sudden fits of anger and depression.
A second stage of suffering would then manifest itself in withdrawal from family and friends. Others might seek solace in alcohol and drugs.
Finally, in a third stage, people become "paranoid, agitated, sleepless," she said. Such a mental state could continue for months.
Chen said some groups were particularly vulnerable.
"We must pay more attention to the mental state of children, elders, patients and mentally disabled people."
Children were likely to be most affected by changes in environment, food and company, Chen said.
RSS